day 9-comitan de dominguez, MX to solola, guatamala-4-22-17

So here are a couple of observations from an ordained deplorable. We went through a rigorous process when crossing the border into Mexico about 7 days ago. I have little doubt that it will be equally challenging as we leave and cross into Guatamala this morning. I am not offended in the least as the countries uphold their laws and protect their sovereignty.
You know what else I "discovered" during 7 days of riding through Mexico on a motorcycle? The same thing I "discovered" each time I have traveled to Mexico in the past 15 years. This is that Mexican people in general are among the most polite, considerate, kind and hardworking people you will find anywhere. I am thankful that God has allowed me so many opportunities to love, and to be loved, by these wonderful people!
I walked over to the Oxxo next to the hotel at 5:40 this morning for coffee. I took these two pictures. The vans/busses were literally lined up for blocks loading people up for work. They were all chatting it up amongst each other as they began their day. It was a blessing to walk through.
Kickstands up in an hour as we head into Guatemala. A new level of adventure awaits!

Today we crossed into Guatamala and experienced what many had warned about when going through customs and immigration. It took us at least 4 hours going through 3 different buildings. Everyone was pleasant (I think) as we went through.
The pictures attached to this post are all from the border area. It is kind of a zoo. Very narrow roads with all of the activity of New York City.

These pictures are from gas stops throughout the day. I will try to describe the sights and activities of the day but it is really impossible. Let's start with the incredibly sheer mountains found in the first half of the journey. They almost seemed like vertical faces as we rode through. I couldn't help thinking how terrible it would be to be a young boy playing catch with a baseball here. Every missed catch would result in a 2 day hike down to the base of the mountain to retrieve your ball.
The other thing way different thing than Mexico was the amount of villages/towns along the roadway. We encountered towns every 15-30 minutes as we drove. There is obviously a shortage of vehicles or the money to buy them. There are people walking everywhere - oftentimes with impossible loads strapped to there backs. Those that aren't walking are loaded up in groups of 4-10 in the backs of trucks. Usually standing up as the buzz through the mountains.
A couple of unusual (and fairly common in their oddity) sights of the day. My favorite was an about 8 year old girl walking her giant sow on a leash. The other was the apparently normal activity of men relieving themselves on the shoulder of the highway.

We arrived after dark but were graciously welcomed by our hosts for the night, Larry and Claire Boggs. They have been missionaries in Guatemala for more than 40 years. They came here to grow and plant churches (16 of them so far) but God called them to minister to the "lost and unwanted" children of Guatemala. More on this tomorrow morning.

We ended the day by being taken to dinner in Solala by the Boggs'. The Eagle's Nest is nestled into the mountainside about 2 miles above Solala. We all loaded into their van and zig-zagged our way down the mountain for about a half an hour until we came to this fabulous restaurant. What a great way to end the day!